If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, you know that I was diagnosed with pneumonia last week, and so this week has been spent mostly in bed recovering. I finally felt well enough to go out yesterday on a mini-date with my husband and I realized I hadn’t put makeup on in over a week. One of the things I love most about makeup is how you can transform yourself into anything you feel like being at the moment. The first thing that popped into my head: jazz singer vibes. I wanted to put together a classic, sophisticated look that was also supremely sexy. You know when you see the vintage jazz singers from the past and they look effortlessly alluring? I was trying to capture that. That essence. I used Jeffree Star Cosmetics Velour Liquid Lipstick in “Redrum,” which is currently sold out, but being restocked again soon. These fly off the online shelves as soon as they are restocked, so I feel very lucky that I snagged one. Full tutorial inside!

 

THE EYE MAKEUP: The eye makeup is double-winged liner, with a metallic gold placed on top of a matte black. I love the effect this gives because when you’re turning your head, you get that sparkle every so often from the gold. It doesn’t look overly flashy or bright. It’s just enough to catch the light the right way and make you look twice.

 

1. Apply an eyeshadow primer to your entire eyelid. I actually didn’t use any eyeshadow at all on my eye, except along the lower lash-line, but I like to do this step so that my eyelid doesn’t get oily or crease. When that happens, the eyeliner may end up transferring all over your eye.
2. Apply a matte medium brown shade along your lower lash-line lightly. This step is optional, but I like the dimension this gives your eye. Sometimes the lower part of the eyes can look too bare with nothing.
3. Apply a matte black eyeliner to your upper lash-line and wing it out. I used my favorite, Tarteist Clay Liner, and made a fairly thick wing towards the outer part of the eye, while getting thinner toward the inner eye.
4. Apply a metallic gold liquid liner directly above where you applied the black liner. It’s okay if this line isn’t perfect, since you’re going to go back with the black eyeliner to finish it all up. Do try to be as precise as possible though. I use Jordana Cat Eye Liner in “08 – Future” which is about $3 at the drugstore and one of my all-time favorites.
5. Go back and clean up the lines by reapplying the black eyeliner. This step is to clean up any edges that may need to be neatened and to make the black eyeliner even darker.
6. Apply a flesh colored eyeliner onto your lower water-line. I did this to make the eyes look really large and bright. I used MAC NC15/NW20 Chromagraphic Pencil.
7. Curl your lashes and apply mascara. 

 

 

 

 

 

THE LIPS: The lips are ultra-matte, which was a huge trend back in the days of jazz singers. Their lipstick had to hold up all night long through singing, smoking and drinking. I used Jeffree Star Cosmetics Velour Liquid Lipstick in “Redrum.” This product comes out in liquid form, like a lip gloss, with an applicator. It dries down to a completely matte, long-lasting lipstick in just thirty seconds or less. It will budge a bit if you’re eating and drinking a lot, but other than that, it is definitely kiss-proof.  I adore the formula on these so much that I am anxiously awaiting the rest of the shades to come back in stock. I’ve been stalking the Jeffree Star Cosmetics Instagram page to find out when their restock will be. These sell out ultra fast.

 

 

To get the most precise line possible, I went back and applied concealer around the edges of my lips with a small brush. When wearing a really bold lip color like this one, you’ll want to keep the edges from feathering. I also overdrew my lips slightly with this color for extra fullness.

 

 

THE FACE MAKEUP: Part of the sophistication of jazz singers is that their complexions always looked flawless and neutral. I kept my face makeup quite muted since the lipstick and eye makeup is where I want everyone’s eyes to go first. Below is a list of products used:

 

• MAKE UP FOR EVER STEP 1 Smoothing Primer
• Dior Diorskin Nude Air Serum Foundation in 030 (This is a new product I have been using and I LOVE it)
• Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette (to contour and to add a little bronzer to the cheeks as blush)
• BECCA Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in “Opal”
• NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Taupe
• Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water 

 

 

THE FINISHED LOOK:

 

 

 

 

Jazz singer vibes…I completed the look by wearing a black maxi dress and some dangling earrings that are a dark smokey grey and really sparkle when they catch the light. I am really feeling this look right now and I love the power of transformation through makeup.

 

 

 

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